Salem State University

My daughter went to Salem State and loved it. I would give the university a 5 star rating, if it weren’t for the absence of career services. The professors were so knowledgeable and so helpful! My daughter loved them all! The only drawback is the university did not help at all with assisting in finding her a job after graduation. It has been a very frustrating experience for my daughter. A year later and she is still unemployed and she graduated with a 3.99.

Good school, super convenient with a vast array of classes that fit into my daily work and family life. That’s about it.
With the exception of some excellent staff member’s, this school consists of a lot of self centered staff who cares little about what your interest are, but focus on theirs. This a COMMUTER SCHOOL, yet they are trying to establish this focus primarily on dorm students.
The advising system is horrendous. Not all, but most Advisors don’t like advising nor do they want to advise. You have to see a «peer mentor» prior to registering for classes, first of all we are not babies please treat us like grown adults. Who by the way do the job of the advisors. They advisors will spend two minutes with you and send you on your way, unless you are one of their «favorites».
Facilities are great if you are a Business Major, otherwise prepare for the most depressing four years of your life. Sorry.
This isn’t Harvard or Yale, we are here because it’s affordable so don’t expect too much. Make the best of it.
Otherwise, I’ve had a rather pleasant experience here. I’d recommend it if you are a busy body.

I am blown away by their administration shortcomings. As a MassTransfer student they have made many errors and I have taken countless hours trying to work with them to straighten them out.
When I have gone to talk to admin they have literally shrugged their shoulders at me.
I had heard bad reviews about Salem State from many people but chose to form my own opinion. I have dropped 2 out of 4 classes and plan on leaving this school asap, cutting my losses and moving on to a new school.
Don’t do this to yourself. This was utterly a waste of time and money so much that I want to cry.

For people wanting to take night courses, the classes are affordable and you’re not thrown into a big lecture hall with hundreds of students. Additionally, lab classes are all given on the same night, so you don’t have to go twice or three times a week for the same class. The professors are highly knowledgeable and experienced and make the effort to ensure that the students actually learn the material.

Pros: Salem State is super convenient, they have some awesome CJ teachers and it’s affordable.
Cons: Ugh… their administrative offices… from Financial Aid to Advising. I was constantly bouncing back and forth between these two offices and it seems like there was a total lack of communication between departments. You will hear one thing from one office and a totally different thing from another office and no one willing to take responsibility for misinforming. Because of this I transferred out of Salem State… if you are able to put up w/​the bs then you are a better person than I.

Salem State, meh .
I like
*how close it is to where I live
*that they offer online classes
*they offer a decent amount of night classes
*Meier Hall has a Dunks in it
*the majority of of professors have been helpful and understanding of whatever issues (if any) I was having.
I do not like
*how they didn’t accept all my class credits from NSCC.
*how much books are (general college complaint)
*how you have such a short window to drop classes with a refund
*how I have to wake up bright and early on day of registration and anxiously try to get into the classes I need.
Whatever, it’s a school that is helping me continue my education. Everyone is going to have something bad to say about their school, and I can bet there are far worse ones than SSU.

The Professors make this school a great place to get an education. Compared to schools in California it is expensive. The problem is all the red tape and bureaucracy of the institution.

Honestly, it’s an overpriced college and it’s up to you on how you want to tackle your experience here. Quite frequently the Undergrads are lazy and do not put forth the effort in their academics. However, the Professors are very patient and steadily push their students to achieve success. I can’t believe they closed the original library, what an eyesore.
PROS:
State College on the Northshore
Various degrees to choose from (Nursing, Early Education, etc.)
15 – 20 minute walk to Historic downtown Salem
CONS:
Limited parking for students and faculty
Overpriced books/​tuition
Dirty Dorm rooms

As a grad student I’ll say 2 things about Salem State (at least the History program)
The professors by and large rock — people like Brad Austin, Dane Morrison, Liz Duclos-​Orsillo, Tad Baker and others are helpful, want to see you succeed and build personal relationships — and if you take the right classes you learn as well
The beauracracy does not rock — there is a lot of red tape, especially with filling in required classes that only pop up once a year, and the facilities are third rate.
If you don’t need to impress anyone with a degree, its a solid place to go

I went to Salem my freshman year. I transfered out.
Salem State College is known for how AWFUL their administration is. Just try to walk right in to financial aid or busars office and get your problem fixed. It will happen after you wait in line for 3 hours. If you try calling the voice recording on the phone will tell you to «hang up and try again later because all operators are busy»… this happens ⁹⁄₁₀ times you call there.
I had a hold put on my record about a year and a half after I had transferred out. The college sent us a bill for $ 1,250.00 and that was it. It didn’t say what it was for or why a year and a half later we were being billed. After my mom ripped then a new asshole over the phone they told us they would send the whole bill. it never came. The point of this is that due to this hold on my record NONE or my transcripts will be released to me or any of the colleges i am trying to apply to for the fall. Other colleges WILL NOT accept me without my SSC transcripts.
so in the end, salem state college has fucked me over so bad and i would not recommend this institution to anyone

OK, OK, ease up! Salem State is a fine college. I am currently attending as a graduate student and having attended Fitchburg State College and having various friends who have attended various institutions I can guarantee that some of the things Salem is being penalized for by other Unilocalers is just your run-​of-​the-​mill college complaints. Parking sucks on most college campuses.
Secondly, registering for courses and actually being able to take said courses can be a problem at many schools (and believe me I understand this is frustrating). These things do happen and I realize it is sucky.
My experience has been fine thus far. I’ve always had my questions answered in a reasonably prompt manner. My professors have all been understanding and accommodating and extremely well-​versed in the subject that they were teaching (except for one). Perhaps the grad school is different in some aspects from the undergrad, but Salem State is not a bad school and I’ve gotten quite an education thus far. So four stars for the professors in the MSW program!

While I nave no basis of comparison, I do like Salem State. I’m graduating this year and have had a pretty good experience. The classes are mostly at a fair level, though some are too hard and some too easy. The professors are mostly very nice and knowledgeable.
The problem with the school is mainly the administration. Many people run into problems that they should not have just because the system hasn’t been organized very well. Of course there are way around this!
Once you learn the ropes you don’t have much of a problem with a parking spot. Find a person who’s leaving and follow them to their car. There’s your space! all colleges have this problem.
As for registration, it can be a huge issue and usually is. But if you plan everything in advanced and talk to professors and advisers you will get into the classes you need.
I gave SSC 3 stars because I do like the school, but I couldn’t give it 4 or 5 since I am sure there are many schools which are better. Of course most people wouldn’t seek to go into a state school if they could get into a better one.
For it’s purpose, Salem State is a good college. Student’s learn a lot if they choose to do so.

Salem State sucks! No seriously, it has to be one of the worst colleges in the area. Want to graduate in four years? Good luck. The red tape here makes it practically impossible. I need two classes to graduate, but since they canceled one of them two days before the class was scheduled to start, who knows when that will actually happen. They just want your money, they don’t care the least bit about your education or happiness. STAY AWAY!
On a side note, there are some really nice professors here, but really, you can find nice professors anywhere. Don’t waste your time or money.